157. FROM WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH. Hebrews 11-34.

The above Scripture reads this way:- “I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samson and the Prophets… whose weaknesses were turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” Some of the biggest success stories in Scripture are about people who struggled with weaknesses and character flaws, they were mired in seeming failure and defeat, and yet by God’s Grace they overcame these obstacles and the odds stacked against them. The overriding theme of the Bible is “resurrection” getting back up again. So, if you can’t avoid failure, “and you are not supposed to give in to it or let it colour your thinking”, How do you handle it? First of all change your attitude. Cartoon character Homer Simpson summarised the attitude of many of us when he said “Kids, you tried your best and failed miserably so the answer is, never try” suffice it to say, Homer is the classic underachiever. In another episode he quips, “Trying is the first step to failure” But, The bottom line is Poor old Homer never tries, so like many of us “real people” he stays stuck and will always be a looser. The people who succeed in life have faith and tenacity, they refuse to give up; They have decided not to let failure defeat them. Note the words in Hebrews 34 “Whose weakness was turned to strength” You may start out weak, but by God’s Grace you can become strong, you can rise from the ashes of failure, achieve your goals, and succeed. Because God’s Word says so. (Proverbs 6: 2) tells us “You are snared by the words of your mouth” and another scripture says “What is in a man’s heart will come out of his mouth.” So don’t allow the thought or words of failure be in your head or heart, that’s a sure way to get them to your mouth. A noted psychiatrist once remarked that two of the saddest words in the human vocabulary are “If only” He believed that people who get trapped by their failures spend the remainder of their lives saying “If only I had tried harder… If only I had been kinder to my kids...If only I had been more truthful...If only...if only… if only.“ The way to change that mindset, is to change your vocabulary by substituting those words with “Next Time” next time I will try harder, next time I will be kinder to my kids, next time I will be more truthful. next time think about it , do it, be a next time person. In (proverbs 6;2) we read, “You are snared by the words of your mouth” and if you don’t know it, a snare, is a trap. Have you ever seen an animal caught in a trap struggling to be free? Your words can often do that to you, and they don’t just effect you, but others as well so keep your lips zipped. Maybe you think I am making too big a deal of this, if you do - read on, (Proverbs 15:4) “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (Proverbs 18:21) says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit” And in (Mark 11:23) Jesus Himself said these words “Whoever says to this mountain’ Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things will be done, he will have whatever he says” Now what do these scriptures all have in common? They confirm that our words breath life (or death) in to everything! So, instead of defeatist talk, speak victory over your situation. Instead of speaking failure, speak success. When you do, God will honour the fruit of your lips. A Christian leader in the 17 hundreds writes:- Oliver Goldsmith was born in Ireland. the son of a poor preacher. Growing up, Oliver wasn’t a great student. In fact his schoolmaster labelled him a “stupid blockhead.” However Goldsmith did manage to earn a university degree, but he finished at the bottom of the class. He was unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. At first he tried to be a preacher, but it didn’t suit him… next he tried law, but failed at that, then, he tried medicine but he was an indifferent doctor not passionate about his profession. He was able to hold several posts, but only temporarily. Goldsmith lived in poverty. Was often ill, and once even had to pawn his cloths to buy food. It looked like he would never find his way in the world. But then he discovered an interest and aptitude in writing and translating. At first he worked as a Fleet street reviewer and writer. But then he began to write works that came out of his own interests and experiences, Next he secured his reputation as a novelist, poet and and play writer with “The Vicar of Wakefield,” “She Stoops to Conquer” and “The Deserted Village”. There is a place for you in this world, or God would never have created you. So, stop feeling useless, and worthless, ask Him to show you where that place is. And He will. Goldsmith’s story sounds like the Psalmist David’s story – and maybe yours too. (Psalm 3:2-3) puts it this way”Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God’ But you Oh God are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head.” You may be down to day, but God Will lift you up if you come to Him for guidance and cooperate with His plan for your life. I am 90 years of age, almost blind and deaf, and yet I like to think God is using me to write this Blog each week or so. And perhaps someone somewhere will be drawn a little closer to Jesus Christ to day because of something God has put on my heart to share with the world. I’m not looking for accolades, but pointing out that if God can work with me, He can work with anyone. To move from failure to success, or weakness to strength, you must... 1. Learn to laugh at your self. No matter what you lose or how often you lose it, never lose your sense of humour – Why? Because when you take your mistakes too seriously, everything becomes a life-or-death - issue Take heed of (Psalm 126:1-5) ”When The Lord brought the exiles back to Jerusalem. It was like a dream. We were filled with laughter and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things The Lord has done for them.’ Yes The Lord has done amazing things for US! What Joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert, Those who plant in tears, will harvest with shouts of joy.” You may not be able to laugh about your mistakes, but you can learn to laugh in them! Note the phrase “When The Lord brought back” The Lord can bring you back too! Tim Masters says ”failure is the productive part of success. It provides the road you don’t have to travel again, the mountain you don’t have to climb a second time and the valley you don’t have to cross once more. ” When you’re making mistakes, they may not feel like “the kiss of Jesus,” which was Mother Teresa’s favourite phrase when mistakes were made, which were meant to drive you to God. But if you maintain the right attitude, they can lead you to do what you should be doing. 2. Learn from your mistakes. Successful restaurateur Wolfgang Puck said:-I have learned more from the one restaurant I didn’t work for than all the ones I did.” Isn’t that always the way it is. You see you don’t have to lose, you just have to learn. Thank you for reading these few words on improving our weaknesses and failures to strengths and successes. Eph. 4 tells us we scan do all things in Christ who gives us strength. Stand on the promise and watch God work in your life. May God Our Father abundantly bless you, The Holy Spirit direct your steps as you live in the love of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Phaline.